Drug and alcohol detoxification is one of the first steps in the treatment process toward recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. The goal of drug detox is minimize and manage drug or alcohol withdrawal symptoms in a medically safe setting. Keep in mind, drug detox is not designed to be the only treatment one receives when it comes to addiction recovery. It is solely intended to help the individual physically adjust to living without drugs. Attending a drug rehabilitation program is the next step in recovering from addiction.

Drug detoxification is the first step of all effective rehab and treatment programs. Until a person is mentally and physically stabilized, they are not prepared to participate in the treatement methods and counseling utilized by drug treatment centers. Most treatment centers have their own detox facilities on site while some others have affiliations with detox programs for their patients to use.

There are licensed drug and alcohol detox centers in most areas of the United States. Some are located in hospitals or clinics while others are privately run. Depending on the medications being abused, detox can sometimes be done on an outpatient basis under a doctor's care. However, for most people detox is best accomplished on an inpatient basis. Never try to detox from alcohol or other drugs without professional medical assistance.

The term detoxification covers all aspects of the individual's withdrawal and purification from drugs. The removal of drug residuals is the key goal in drug detox. Without this process, drug residues can remain in the body and cause cravings for years after drug use has ceased. A vital step in successful drug detoxification as well as drug rehabilitation is flushing out these accumulated toxic residues so that the individual no longer experiences unwanted adverse effects from the drugs they have taken.

Methadone doses are given to people that are addicted to heroin and other opioids as a method of treatment called "Harm Reduction Treatment" Methadone is a long lasting synthetic opiate that does prevent symptoms associated with opiate withdrawal. It is important to note that methadone itself is an addictive opiate narcotic that is dispensed primarily at outpatient clinics. Although some people do show improvement through methadone maintenance, many continue to use addictive drugs and perpetuate negative behaviors and consequences associated with the illicit use of heroin and other opiates which includes: intravenous drug use, risk of drug overdose, spreading infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis, and drug related crime. It is true that some methadone maintenence programs have shown to reduce the "harm" associated with opiate addiction however this does not constitute a full recovery. Full drug addiction recovery is achieved by attending a comprehensive drug treatment program that focuses on complete abstinence rather than partial harm reduction or drug substitution. A methadone treatment program would not be a logical initial option but may be considered as a final option or last resort as methadone itself is a very powerful and addictive drug.

Methadone detox provides opioid dependent patients with medication, health, social, and rehabilitation services that relieve withdrawal symptoms, reduce physiological cravings, and allow normalization of the body's functions. Methadone detoxification has been available for over 30 years and has been confirmed to reduce the harm associated with opioid dependence in numerous scientific studies.

Methadone is used to help people trying to get off heroin and other drugs. Unfortunately, methadone is also an addictive opoid narcotic. Going through methadone detoxification can be more difficult than getting off other opioids.

When you are ready to get help with your methadone addiction, look to a methadone detoxification center for help. Methadone detoxification can be very difficult on the person going through withdrawal. The dosage needs to be lowered slowly, and this process needs to be supervised by experienced medical personnel. When you are considering different methadone detoxification programs, ask about the center's experience with methadone users. You will also want to get some idea about the daily schedule, as well as how the staff will give you the support you need to get off methadone.

A very important factor in the chances of avoiding a relapse is to immediately begin participation with a comprehensive drug rehabilitation program in order to continue the methadone detoxification and recovery process. Many rehab programs will recommend that once graduates complete drug rehab, they enter a sober living home in order to continue the process of maintaining their sobriety while re-entering everyday life.

Dual diagnosis drug rehabs specialize in alcohol and drug addiction problems coupled with underlying psychological and/or physiological that might be the cause of the addiction problem. Drug rehabs for dual daignosis clients offer a variety of therapeutic programs to help provide individuals and families affected by alcoholism and drug addiction with the support needed for a successful recovery. The most beneficial aspect of a dual diagnosis drug rehab center is that the treatment is based on finding the cause of the addiction and treating it holistically as opposed to treating the symptoms with medications.

Unfortunately, many people have contracted HIV due to their drug addiction activities, it is all to often today, that drug addiction and HIV/AIDS often accompany each other. Many people contract HIV by sharing syringes while injecting a drug. Others contract the HIV virus during sexual intercourse with someone who is HIV positive while under the influence of drugs.

For HIV and AIDS patients in need of a drug treatment program, it is vital to obtain addiction treatment immediately. Though every active addict faces the risk of death from their drug use and the lifestyle that typically is associated with a drug addiction problem, for individuals infected with the AIDS virus, the threat is especially dangerous. For these individuals, a longer and healthier life depends on following a very complex and sophisticated medication protocol. Drug abuse and the activities that accompany it make this kind of adherence nearly impossible.

If you or a loved one has HIV or AIDS, it is vital to get into a drug treatment program right away.

Drug treatment centers for gays and lesbians do not differ substantially from "straight" rehabilitation programs. However, in a gay/lesbian drug treatment program there is an increased awareness of the unique life stresses and experiences of members within this community. There is also a sensitivity and acceptance of sexual orientation. Gay/Lesbian drug treatment centers provide specific programming that meets the needs of the unique challenges facing gays and lesbians in a drug treatment center.

It is very inportant that the gay or lesbian individuals feel comfortable within the drug treatment environment. They need to feel that they are able to open up about their experiences and heal without fear of repercussion or discrimination from either the staff or the other participating addicts in the treatment facility. There are different views that people have about drug treatment centers specifically designed for the gay and lesbian community. One of the most common views is that gay/lesbian specific centers are the only truly safe place for a gay or lesbian individual to recover. Conversely, many others preach that since the "real world" is a mixed world, healing within a drug treatment center comprised of diverse individuals, yet in a gay aware and safe rehab center, is the better alternative.

Seniors with drug addiction issues is a problem that is escalating in the United States, making drug treatment for senior citizens extremely vital. Often lonely and without family members nearby, the elderly have a high rate of drug addiction that typically goes unnoticed and unattended to.

It is important to understand the special needs of a senior citizen before taking the step of selecting a drug treatment program. In some cases, there can be some serious problems specifically associated with addiction and senior citizens.

drug treatment programs for senior citizens are specifically designed to factor in the additional health issues that sometimes accompany seniors with long standing addiction problems entering treatment.

Alcohol and drug abuse among women who are pregnant is a terrifying concern due to the irreversible damage that can be brought upon their unborn child if the mother is using drugs or alcohol while pregnant. A 2009 report estimated that about 4 percent of women that were seeking treatment for drug or alcohol abuse related problems admitted that they were abusing substances while they were pregnant. Additionally, women who drank alcohol during their pregnancy were also much more likely to consume illegal drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine and heroin.

Studies have demonstrated that women who are pregnant and involved in drug or alcohol abuse will tend to avoid revealing their condition and seek treatment due to their fear of repercussions that may take place against them and their children.

It is of vital importance that if you are pregnant and have a drug or alcohol abuse problem to seek help for your own sake and for the sake of your baby.

Drug treatment programs for women are specifically targeted toward the particular treatment needs of women afflicted with drug addiction and alcoholism. Drug addiction in women has a distinctive origin, progression, and specific addiction treatment methods. A growing body of research shows that drug abuse among women and the issues surrounding their addiction differs from that of men, requiring a specialized regimen of drug treatment.

Psychologically, women who become addicted to drugs or alcohol have a different narrative and profile than men who become addicted. As an often-underestimated rule, women have a greater tendency to have developed a drug addiction to cope with trauma and emotional pain. Women also have a range of social and cultural pressures and issues that men do not experience.

For many years, drug treatment programs were designed to offer simultaneous treatment to both men and women. And since the numbers of admissions favored men, approximately 60% to 40%, the programs were tailored more toward the male population. But recently, it has been discovered that by creating drug rehabs specifically for women, there is a greater chance that a woman would seek treatment. This is a huge step forward in the treatment of women suffering with drug addiction and alcoholism.

Drug rehab centers for men focus on the specific treatment needs that the male gender requires when dealing with drug addiction and alcoholism. Substance abuse pertaining to men can have various distinctions that differ than that of substance abuse in females. Some men require individualized drug rehabilitation methods that deal with these distinctions and focus on the issues that relate to the male gender.

Men suffering with drug or alcohol addiction experience different social pressures, cultural pressures and emotional issues than that of women. Also, men deal with their issues, trauma's and transgressions in a different way than women do. It is unnderstood that men and women can be completely different in the way that they think, act, and communicate. This is why drug rehab centers that are designed specifically for men can better increase the chances of a successful recovery and offer a brand new life to addicted males who are committed to recovery.

One of the most common examples of drug and alcohol abuse is driving under the influence (DUI). Many states require DUI offenders to undergo counseling to combat their drug and alcohol abuse. For low to moderate DUI and DWI offenders, therapy typically involves some form of group counseling program, led either by a substance abuse professional or accomplished through participation in a self-help support organization such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. In most cases, DUI and DWI offenders will be assigned a particular number of hours or weeks during which they must participate in counseling i.e. 30 hours in group sessions or six months in the self-help setting etc.

It is common for criminal justice clients to be involved in some form of substance abuse. Providing effective addiction treatment to criminal justice clients with substance abuse issues can present special challenges because of the complexity and severity of the biopsychosocial problems which frequently accompany their addiction.

Fortunately, drug rehabilitation is sometimes part of the criminal justice system. People convicted of minor drug offenses may be sentenced to a drug treatment program as an alternative to jail or prison. Some drug treatment programs for criminal justice clients provide help getting to and from any court appointments and provide required services for those on parole or probation, including regular progress updates and random drug screening.

Getting treatment for drug addiction or alcoholism is important to everyone. If you can't afford to pay for a drug rehab center right now, Medicaid can make it possible for you to get the care that you need so that you can rehabilitate successfully and recover from addiction.

Medicaid is available only to certain low-income individuals and families who fit into an eligibility group that is recognized by federal and state law. Medicaid does not pay money to you; instead, it sends payments directly to the drug rehab center. Depending on state's rules in Kentucky, you may also be asked to pay a small part of the cost (co-payment) for some addiction treatment services.

Many groups of people are covered by Medicaid. Even within these groups, though, certain requirements must be met. These may include your age, whether you are pregnant, disabled, blind, or aged; your income and resources (like bank accounts, real property, or other items that can be sold for cash); and whether you are a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted immigrant. The rules for counting your income and resources vary from state to state and from group to group.

Your child may be eligible for coverage if he or she is a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted immigrant, even if you are not (however, there is a 5-year limit that applies to lawful permanent residents). Eligibility for children is based on the child's status, not the parent's. Also, if someone else's child lives with you, the child may be eligible even if you are not because your income and resources will not count for the child.

In general, you should apply for Medicaid if your income is low and you match one of the descriptions of the Eligibility Groups. (Even if you are not sure whether you qualify, if you or someone in your family needs drug treatment or any other health care and you cannot afford it, you should apply for Medicaid and have a qualified Kentucky caseworker evaluate your situation.)

Medicare insurance pays for substance abuse treatment for people 65 or older with addiction problems that qualify for Medicare.

Many elderly drug abusers arrive at a drug rehab center program only after their addiction has wrecked everything good they ever had in their lives. Without any money in their pocket and with no support from friends and family, it can be extremely difficult to pay for a drug rehab program. In this case an effective course of action if you are 65 or older would be through the use of Medicare, chances are you would be able to get the treatment that you need through the Medicare system.

The cost of drug treatment programs for drug addiction and alcoholism treatment are increasing. Both outpatient drug treatment programs and residential drug rehab programs come at a cost that most people who are caught in the grips of drug or alcohol addiction cannot afford. Most private insurance policies provide for at least a percentage of coverage for substance abuse treatment.

It is a sad fact that, even though a drug treatment program takes insurance, many who need treatment for drug and alcohol abuse are statistically less likely to have any medical insurance coverage at all. It is estimated that 15 percent of adults over the age of 18 have no coverage at all and that 30 percent rely solely upon government and federally funded health coverage services like Medicaid and Medicare. Surveys show that approximately 31 percent of people who felt they needed treatment for drug addiction or alcoholism could not enroll in a drug rehab program due to lack of finance and insurance coverage.

In October 1996, Congress passed the Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act, paving the way for the Medical Benefits Package plan, available to all enrolled veterans. The Medical Benefits Package emphasizes preventive and primary care, offering a full range of outpatient and inpatient services including drug rehabilitation for veterans that develop drug or alcohol abuse problems.

In addition combat veterans returning from active military service may be eligible to receive free health care services and nursing home care for up to two years, beginning on the date of separation from active military service. This benefit covers all illnesses and injuries except those clearly unrelated to military service (common colds, injuries from accidents that occurred after discharge, disorders that existed before joining the military). If you need treatment for health conditions and your claim is related to combat operations you will be assisted.

When you or a loved one is overwhelmed by alcohol and drug abuse, we know that you want help fast. You're in an emotional tailspin, and need people and a place you can trust. You want assurance that the program you choose will offer the best chance of success. You want compassionate experts and a hassle-free process to help make one of the hardest decisions of your life a whole lot easier.

Self pay drug treatment programs offer a viable alternative to private medical insurance and are becoming increasingly popular. Having the choice of self pay drug treatment programs gives the individual the opportunity to pay the treatment costs in full. This does not necessarily mean that financial assistance is not offered; simply that self pay is an acceptable payment method. To find out more about self pay drug treatment program options please contact them directly. Also, don't hesitate to request information from more than one facility.

Drug addiction and abuse is one of the major concerns in the United States and other countries. Self pay drug treatment programs are crucial for those with drug abuse problems, to educate them about the facts about chemical dependency and help them make important changes in their lives to lead a drug free lifestyle. Drug treatment typically involves counseling and behavioral therapy coupled with group therapy, lectures and group discussions, to help those in recovery cope with their addiction. The success rates of self pay drug treatment programs are pretty high and most individuals attending self pay drug treatment programs are able to attain and maintain prolonged abstinence from drugs.

Drug rehab centers that offer sliding scale fees are variable costs for treatment services, or taxes based on one's ability to pay for addiction treatment. Such fees are thereby reduced for those who have lower incomes or less money to spare after their personal expenses. Regardless of income, every person should be able to obtain treatment.

Drug rehab centers may have various motivations for offering their services at a sliding scale. These may include the desire to be charitable to those less able to afford addiction treatment, their ability to get a tax deduction for offering their services as charity, or their ability to benefit from the revenue even from a partial payment.
Some drug rehab centers may have their profits that would have been obtained from a full-price sale subsidized by some other means. These may include charging a higher cost to a wealthier client, obtaining grants from government agencies or non-profit organizations, or obtaining a tax deduction.

Whatever the motivation the sliding scale payment method makes it less difficult to obtain addiction treatment, for those with lower income.